Lou,

One of the great consolation prizes in all of this is that SLU is still a conference mate in the A-10. Lots of respect for you guys as a program and even more for what Rick Majerus built there in recent years. For your sake I hope Jim Crews doesn't miss a beat once Majerus's guys move on.

I hope we share a conference for a long time whether that's in the A-10 or elsewhere.

The more I read/look at things, I think you're onto something.

SLU is not going to the Valley EVER, so there are only 2 possibilities. Big East and A-10 are it. With the top teams in the A-10 that are left, it's not like it's a bad thing in the immediate future to play A-10 games.

The Big East has the huge budgets and teams to match. For those of us who aren't invited, the consolation prize isn't quite as bad as some would believe.

Yea it's a decent situation and could be a lot worse. It's still a definite upgrade from the CAA that we were in just a year ago.

With SLU, VCU, and La Salle returning the bulk of their teams this year, I could see at least 3 NCAA bids again. With UMass, Richmond, Dayton, St. Joe's, Davidson, George Mason, George Washington etc. in the league it's still a pretty good basketball conference all things considered. Maybe not spectacular, but very solid. Looks like we could easily have 8 or more top 100 teams again this season. Not a bad situation at all.

Sometimes appreciating what you have is more important than fantasizing about what you don't.

It could be worse very easily for all of us.

VCU could be in the CAA, and SLU could be in the MVC and watch Wichita bolt.

There's always somebody who has it worse than us.

(07-29-2013 06:07 PM)LouPower Wrote:  I think it's VCU and WSU anymore.

SLU had their shot, and they didn't fit then. What changes in the future?

I'll guarantee you 100% that if the Big East expands to 12 SLU is #11 or #12. Only way that doesn't happen is if Notre Dame comes back and Gonzaga makes the jump.

(07-29-2013 06:08 PM)VCUfan Wrote:  Interesting hypothesis regarding going beyond 12. As a VCU fan I want the best for my program, and much more money and a profile upgrade would definitely be something I'm sure any fan of a team in a non-power conference would want to see for their rooting interest. That said, I don't see any reason why the Big East would go beyond 12. Truth be told, I'm not sure what going to 12 accomplishes either, but I'm not the one making the decisions at Big East HQ.

Should be a fine basketball conference and will definitely replace the A-10 as the best basketball-centric conference in the country going forward. We in the A-10 will try to keep up but I'm pretty sure we're stuck in 2nd place for the forseeable future with the programs, money, and publicity in the new Big East. Your league will be fine.

I like to think VCU will do just fine as well regardless of what happens. Time will tell.

Yeah, I don't know why they would either. Just to be equal in number to the football conferences?

To get to 16, I guess I could see some situation where we try to grab Gonzaga and therefore have to grab a few of the WCC schools out there and create at least a small western pocket (though you'd want to see more commitment to facilities and success from the likes of LMU, SF, Pepperdine). But that's reaching.

I personally like 12 and have always been a fan of divisions and the fun rivalries and debates in naturally creates. But it's really because there is no perfect #12 right now, but I believe Fox does want 12 and will probably get it.

(07-30-2013 09:16 AM)aughnanure Wrote:  

(07-29-2013 06:08 PM)VCUfan Wrote:  Interesting hypothesis regarding going beyond 12. As a VCU fan I want the best for my program, and much more money and a profile upgrade would definitely be something I'm sure any fan of a team in a non-power conference would want to see for their rooting interest. That said, I don't see any reason why the Big East would go beyond 12. Truth be told, I'm not sure what going to 12 accomplishes either, but I'm not the one making the decisions at Big East HQ.

Should be a fine basketball conference and will definitely replace the A-10 as the best basketball-centric conference in the country going forward. We in the A-10 will try to keep up but I'm pretty sure we're stuck in 2nd place for the forseeable future with the programs, money, and publicity in the new Big East. Your league will be fine.

I like to think VCU will do just fine as well regardless of what happens. Time will tell.

Yeah, I don't know why they would either. Just to be equal in number to the football conferences?

I guess I could see some situation where we try to grab Gonzaga and therefore have to grab a few of the WCC schools out there and create at least a small western pocket (though you'd want to see more commitment to facilities and success from the likes of LMU, SF, Pepperdine). But that's reaching.

I personally like 12 and have always been a fan of divisions and the fun rivalries and debates in naturally creates. But it's really because there is no perfect #12 right now, but I believe Fox does want 12 and will probably get it.

They would if Fox asked them to. If Fox wants more inventory we will expand.

Ackerman was quoted as saying the presidents want to expand. although she continued to say, not as this time, but it will need to be explored.

The more I think about it, why don't we just add SLU and stop at 11? I know it gives a bye during league play but that team could schedule a good non-conference opponent like Gonzaga during that time and play 20 league games. There just isn't a suitable #12 at this time.

(07-30-2013 07:22 PM)Jet915 Wrote:  The more I think about it, why don't we just add SLU and stop at 11? I know it gives a bye during league play but that team could schedule a good non-conference opponent like Gonzaga during that time and play 20 league games. There just isn't a suitable #12 at this time.

Agreed, been saying that for a while. The B1G made it work for a long time.

...or we could just add Gonzaga with SLU like we all know we should.

(07-31-2013 09:44 AM)aughnanure Wrote:  

(07-30-2013 07:22 PM)Jet915 Wrote:  The more I think about it, why don't we just add SLU and stop at 11? I know it gives a bye during league play but that team could schedule a good non-conference opponent like Gonzaga during that time and play 20 league games. There just isn't a suitable #12 at this time.

Agreed, been saying that for a while. The B1G made it work for a long time.

...or we could just add Gonzaga with SLU like we all know we should.

No way should we add Gonzaga, they are way to far west.

I think we should just choose between Dayton, VCU and Richmond for spot #12. It's not like we are talking about adding a team like Duequene (SP?) or Seina who will be by far the worst in the league. All three might be towards the bottom but not head and shoulders the worst in the league. I think all three could very much improve with membership in this conference. Are their question marks? Sure, but there were also question marks with every team we added. We didn't see Butlers until 2 days after they joined the league. Can Xavier bounce back from a down year or is this a sign of bigger issues? Can Creighton be competitive after their star seniors leave this season? There are questions but the reward outweighs the risks with them. If they are for real we are set up nicely for the foreseeable future. If they fall we could take a big perception hit. I personally think they will be fine. Some will do better than others but no big disappointments right out of the gate. I think the same can be said for SLU and whomever we choose as 12 out of the three i listed above.

(07-31-2013 10:21 AM)NJRedMan Wrote:  

(07-31-2013 09:44 AM)aughnanure Wrote:  

(07-30-2013 07:22 PM)Jet915 Wrote:  The more I think about it, why don't we just add SLU and stop at 11? I know it gives a bye during league play but that team could schedule a good non-conference opponent like Gonzaga during that time and play 20 league games. There just isn't a suitable #12 at this time.

Agreed, been saying that for a while. The B1G made it work for a long time.

...or we could just add Gonzaga with SLU like we all know we should.

No way should we add Gonzaga, they are way to far west.

Nothing is too far west with more money.

What is it, one cross country flight a year? A flight essentially an hour longer than going to Creighton? Give me a break. It's Gonzaga, not the current Big East schools, that has to weigh the pros and cons as they'll have to up their travel and take their team farther away from their alumni in the West. We should be ready to accept at any moment they decide its not worth it to play Portland and Pacific in high school gyms anymore.

And it's not like their current travel is currently small (closest team is something liek 700 miles away anyways)

Do people think expansion is going to happen anytime soon?

I read Ackerman's statement, and it's hard to reconcile what she says with what the Presidents "want".

(07-31-2013 02:08 PM)LouPower Wrote:  Do people think expansion is going to happen anytime soon?

I read Ackerman's statement, and it's hard to reconcile what she says with what the Presidents "want".

I'd wager 3-5 years.

But who knows....could be sooner.

(07-31-2013 03:03 PM)aughnanure Wrote:  

(07-31-2013 02:08 PM)LouPower Wrote:  Do people think expansion is going to happen anytime soon?

I read Ackerman's statement, and it's hard to reconcile what she says with what the Presidents "want".

I'd wager 3-5 years.

But who knows....could be sooner.

If you believe the UConn fan on the realignment board, they are in the BE mix with indy football. Not sure I buy it. 10 teams gives the BE the most flexibility going forward.

(07-31-2013 04:46 PM)MUAvalanche Wrote:  

(07-31-2013 03:03 PM)aughnanure Wrote:  

(07-31-2013 02:08 PM)LouPower Wrote:  Do people think expansion is going to happen anytime soon?

I read Ackerman's statement, and it's hard to reconcile what she says with what the Presidents "want".

I'd wager 3-5 years.

But who knows....could be sooner.

If you believe the UConn fan on the realignment board, they are in the BE mix with indy football. Not sure I buy it. 10 teams gives the BE the most flexibility going forward.

Well that would be something. Link?

Would love to have UConn and UMass to secure the east coast, but too bad football will get in the way.

(07-31-2013 05:12 PM)aughnanure Wrote:  

(07-31-2013 04:46 PM)MUAvalanche Wrote:  

(07-31-2013 03:03 PM)aughnanure Wrote:  

(07-31-2013 02:08 PM)LouPower Wrote:  Do people think expansion is going to happen anytime soon?

I read Ackerman's statement, and it's hard to reconcile what she says with what the Presidents "want".

I'd wager 3-5 years.

But who knows....could be sooner.

If you believe the UConn fan on the realignment board, they are in the BE mix with indy football. Not sure I buy it. 10 teams gives the BE the most flexibility going forward.

Well that would be something. Link?

Would love to have UConn and UMass to secure the east coast, but too bad football will get in the way.

If it's "FromTheInside", he's claiming that UConn would go indy in all sports, with a $25M per year media contract from SNY, and scheduling arrangements with the Big East and I think the Big Ten, ACC and SEC.

*cough*Troll*cough*.

That said, he's probably the top troll prospect to come along in a while, setting off 10 page threads like it's nothing.

(07-31-2013 10:37 AM)aughnanure Wrote:  

(07-31-2013 10:21 AM)NJRedMan Wrote:  

(07-31-2013 09:44 AM)aughnanure Wrote:  

(07-30-2013 07:22 PM)Jet915 Wrote:  The more I think about it, why don't we just add SLU and stop at 11? I know it gives a bye during league play but that team could schedule a good non-conference opponent like Gonzaga during that time and play 20 league games. There just isn't a suitable #12 at this time.

Agreed, been saying that for a while. The B1G made it work for a long time.

...or we could just add Gonzaga with SLU like we all know we should.

No way should we add Gonzaga, they are way to far west.

Nothing is too far west with more money.

What is it, one cross country flight a year? A flight essentially an hour longer than going to Creighton? Give me a break. It's Gonzaga, not the current Big East schools, that has to weigh the pros and cons as they'll have to up their travel and take their team farther away from their alumni in the West. We should be ready to accept at any moment they decide its not worth it to play Portland and Pacific in high school gyms anymore.

And it's not like their current travel is currently small (closest team is something liek 700 miles away anyways)

One cross country flight for each sport. it's not just BBall they would be joining for. It's not even a possibility and everyone knows that. If it were as easy as you make it sound they would have been added in the first round of additions. They were the #1 overall seed in the NCAA this year after all!

(07-31-2013 10:21 AM)NJRedMan Wrote:  

(07-31-2013 09:44 AM)aughnanure Wrote:  

(07-30-2013 07:22 PM)Jet915 Wrote:  The more I think about it, why don't we just add SLU and stop at 11? I know it gives a bye during league play but that team could schedule a good non-conference opponent like Gonzaga during that time and play 20 league games. There just isn't a suitable #12 at this time.

Agreed, been saying that for a while. The B1G made it work for a long time.

...or we could just add Gonzaga with SLU like we all know we should.

No way should we add Gonzaga, they are way to far west.

I think we should just choose between Dayton, VCU and Richmond for spot #12. It's not like we are talking about adding a team like Duequene (SP?) or Seina who will be by far the worst in the league. All three might be towards the bottom but not head and shoulders the worst in the league. I think all three could very much improve with membership in this conference. Are their question marks? Sure, but there were also question marks with every team we added. We didn't see Butlers until 2 days after they joined the league. Can Xavier bounce back from a down year or is this a sign of bigger issues? Can Creighton be competitive after their star seniors leave this season? There are questions but the reward outweighs the risks with them. If they are for real we are set up nicely for the foreseeable future. If they fall we could take a big perception hit. I personally think they will be fine. Some will do better than others but no big disappointments right out of the gate. I think the same can be said for SLU and whomever we choose as 12 out of the three i listed above.

If Gonzaga's willing to come, why not add them? How does the distance hurt the conference? The ones whom it hurts are the folks at Gonzaga.

(08-01-2013 12:33 AM)NJRedMan Wrote:  

(07-31-2013 10:37 AM)aughnanure Wrote:  

(07-31-2013 10:21 AM)NJRedMan Wrote:  

(07-31-2013 09:44 AM)aughnanure Wrote:  

(07-30-2013 07:22 PM)Jet915 Wrote:  The more I think about it, why don't we just add SLU and stop at 11? I know it gives a bye during league play but that team could schedule a good non-conference opponent like Gonzaga during that time and play 20 league games. There just isn't a suitable #12 at this time.

Agreed, been saying that for a while. The B1G made it work for a long time.

...or we could just add Gonzaga with SLU like we all know we should.

No way should we add Gonzaga, they are way to far west.

Nothing is too far west with more money.

What is it, one cross country flight a year? A flight essentially an hour longer than going to Creighton? Give me a break. It's Gonzaga, not the current Big East schools, that has to weigh the pros and cons as they'll have to up their travel and take their team farther away from their alumni in the West. We should be ready to accept at any moment they decide its not worth it to play Portland and Pacific in high school gyms anymore.

And it's not like their current travel is currently small (closest team is something liek 700 miles away anyways)

One cross country flight for each sport. it's not just BBall they would be joining for. It's not even a possibility and everyone knows that. If it were as easy as you make it sound they would have been added in the first round of additions. They were the #1 overall seed in the NCAA this year after all!

You are assuming that the other sports don't already schedule at least one cross-country flight a year. Marquette's golf, cross country, volleyball, and soccer all do.

I think they would've been added if they wanted to come but maybe they were wavering and wanted more time to get everything ready on the Zags' side. If anything, it's a good reason why we're on hold at 10.